Today I witnessed the the ultimate fight it was amazing. Beautiful sunny morning here with the warmest temp we've had in over a month. I decide to snowshoe into the bush and retrieve a few tree stands that were long overdue to come down.
As I snowshoed through a nice hardwood bush I spotted some turkeys ahead. I stayed behind some big trees and approached closer. What I saw was unlike any battle I've ever witnessed in the wild. Here was two big Toms locked in a fierce battle. The one had the other by the neck and they were struggling to get each other to the ground. As the battled continue I crept closer and was able to get up within 30yrds. The Toms would lock and battle and when one broke free they would strut in circles then launch at the others neck. Once one had the other buy the neck he would then try to drive the other birds head into the ground while spurring him as well. I watched this battle for almost hour when one of the birds locked on me trying to creep closer and they departed. I approached the area and was amazed at the 30ft circle they had stomped out in the snow.There was blood and feathers all over the place. I debated prior to going about bringing my camera or not. I'll be kicking myself in the butt for along time for not bringing it as this was one of those photo ops of a lifetime. I have seen turkeys fight in the spring but never anything like this. I was sure at one point that I would be having turkey for dinner once the victory took place. I have observed whitetails,elephants,lions,sable and bears fight for dominance and none of them equaled what I saw today. There was no doubt in my mind that these two turkey's were bent on killing their opponent.
Has anyone ever seen turkeys fight like this?
I have a couple of domestic toms that will square up on each other but it never has been fierce as what you described.
A few years back I watched two rooster Ringnecks go at it, during the spring mating season, on the edge of a freshly planted bean field for about 20 minutes. Neither one would give up and I was sure it would end with the loser dead. Finally one had enough and flew away. The winner spent the next five minutes "strutting his stuff" between the road and the edge of the field.
Sounds like you were at the right place at the right time Dave.
very neat. I witnessed a fight years ago, gives ya a new respect for them! :scared:
In december of 2007, I was bowhunting on our place in Western OK in a blind alongside a huge alfalfa field. I saw a flock of about 20 birds come over the rise and down in front of me. I started calling them to try to get one in range, using feeding calls.
Then, on my left, I had another flock of about 15 birds come into the field.
When these two groups saw each other, they RAN toward each other and the two groups began duking it out like some kind of scene from Gangs of New York. It lasted about 10 minutes...then they just split up.
Oh, and neither group was interested in my call. Nearest I can tell, it was a territorial battle over feeding areas.
That's too cool...I've seen some gobbler fights in the spring,even saw one with three gobblers. But never with the intensity and length that you're describing...good stuff!!
I'da loved to see pix :knothead:
David, yes I have. About three years ago. In late November. Only it was four birds, not two.
I was in a stand down in a ravine and heard what I could only describe as some type of ruckus.
It was far off but seemed to be coming my direction.
When I first heard it, I didn't even consider the sound would be coming from turkeys!
I truly had no idea what that sound could be.
I remember thinking it might have been deer fighting.
After maybe 10-15 minutes, they came into sight at about 150 yards.
They did the strangest thing! They would all four sort of walk around in circle about 6 feet across all facing the same direction - either clockwise or counter-clockwise. Slowly sort of eyeing one another. Then in an EXPLOSION they would just DIVE into each other and have this blood thirsty free-for-all that might last 15-20 seconds with feathers actually flying!
Then, they would stop and start circling again. But as they circled, they would actually progress through the ravine!
It was absolutely insane and absurd.
I didn't know behavior like that existed.
I'll bet I saw them dive into each other maybe 20 times or more.
And when they did, they were obviously trying to hurt each other.
I'm sure I've never even told anyone 'cause I didn't think any one would believe me.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.